The Gunnison Gorge near Black Canyon National Park offers a spectacular 2-day wilderness rafting experience through one of Colorado's most dramatic river canyons. This remote section features a perfect balance of exciting Class II-III whitewater and scenic floats through towering canyon walls. The river provides excellent opportunities for hiking side canyons, fishing for trophy trout, and camping on pristine beaches. With limited commercial permits and challenging access, the Gunnison Gorge remains one of Colorado's best-kept secrets, offering solitude and natural beauty just downstream from the famous Black Canyon.
Snapshot
Important information for this section of river
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Water Level
FAQ: What's the current water level for Gunnison Gorge?
213 CFS
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FAQ: What's the ideal range for this section of river?
600 – 3,000 CFS
Rapids
Community-contributed. Conditions change with flow. Scout everything.
No rapids logged yet for this river.
Boat Launches
Community-contributed. Conditions change with flow. Scout everything.
No boat launches logged yet for this river.
Camps
Community-contributed. Conditions change with flow. Scout everything.
No camps logged yet for this river.
Outfitters
1 loggedCommunity-contributed. Conditions change with flow. Scout everything.
- Rimrock Adventures4.8
Rimrock Adventures provides guided rafting, horseback riding, equipment rentals, shuttle service, groover rentals, and offers a private boat launch for their customers.
Gear SupplyGuided TripsIceShuttle Service
Common Questions
What paddlers most often want to know about Gunnison Gorge.
What class of rapids does the Gunnison Gorge have?
The Gunnison Gorge from Chukar Trail to Pleasure Park features Class II–III rapids — accessible enough for intermediate paddlers but set in a dramatic, remote canyon that rewards the challenging hike-in access.
Do I need a permit to raft the Gunnison Gorge in Colorado?
No permit is required to paddle the Gunnison Gorge. However, access requires a hike down the Chukar Trail or other steep trails into the canyon, and Leave No Trace rules apply throughout the Gunnison Gorge Wilderness Study Area.
How do I access the Gunnison Gorge put-in?
The standard put-in for the Gunnison Gorge is via the Chukar Trail, which descends steeply into the canyon near Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The hike in is approximately 1 mile with significant elevation loss — gear must be carried or lowered by rope.
What are the ideal flow levels for the Gunnison Gorge?
The Gunnison Gorge runs best between 600 and 3,000 CFS. Flows of 800–2,000 CFS are ideal for most paddlers, offering good Class II–III action with enough water to float through the spectacular canyon without scraping.
How many days does a Gunnison Gorge trip take?
The Gunnison Gorge from Chukar to Pleasure Park covers approximately 14 miles and is typically run as a 2-day overnight trip, with riverside camping on pristine beaches along one of Colorado's most remote and beautiful river corridors.
Weather Forecast
What's the daily forecast at the put-in for Gunnison Gorge?